Sufism in his blood

Born to the family of Sufi saints, dermatologist Dr Syed Abdul Haq Kamal gets nostalgic about the city, and his rich ancestral heritage.

One of his ancestors, Syed Abdul Haq, was conferred with the title Diler-ul-Mulk by the Nizams for his administrative capabilities. At Syed Abdul Haq’s mother Saidanima’s grave, at the start of Tank Bund, a tomb is built.

“And, my grandmother was the daughter of Mustaid Nawaz Jung after whom the Mustaidpura in the old city is named and my father worked with the Nizam, too,” says Dr Kamal.

One of his favourite memories of the city as a child was going fishing in the clean waters of Hussain Sagar Lake.

“I wish the authority takes up the challenge to restore the lake to its former glory,” he says.

The languages, warmth of the people, history, and Purani Haveli are some of the things which have a special place in his heart.

“I used to stay with my uncle in the Purani Haveli and there was a famous story about a Gin. According to the guards, when asleep, the Gin used to move them from one place to another. Both my aunt and I were very scared initially and did not venture out post dark until we found out the truth. The truth was that those guards were drinking and hallucinating all the while,” he laughs.

Dr Kamal continues, “When we were young, we never discussed religion in school. Such was the atmosphere then, devoid of any complication, now everything has changed.”